Are you suffering from unexplained fatigue during the day? Do you wake up feeling unrefreshed or unrested?
Like thousands of Americans, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. As part of our comprehensive dental practice, we offer sleep apnea treatments at Jordan Landing Dental Care.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat relax too much during sleep. The muscles obstruct the airway and prevent the individual from breathing for several seconds at a time.
A sleep apnea patient has to awaken hundreds of times each night to reopen their airway after it closes. These awakenings are brief enough that most people who suffer with them have no memory of them the next day. Sleep apnea patients often find themselves feeling tired and irritable even after sleeping for 8 hours.
Over time, sleep apnea increases your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. Lack of oxygen and lack of sleep have serious effects on your body, so it’s important to seek treatment if you notice any signs of sleep apnea.
Signs of sleep apnea include:
- Daytime exhaustion
- Mood swings or depression
- Weight gain
- Insomnia
- Snoring or gasping noises during sleep
- Dry mouth or dry throat
- Morning headaches
- Waking up frequently to urinate throughout the night
How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?
Come speak with our dentists about your sleep apnea symptoms and the treatments that might work for you. We can help you avoid the dangers of sleep apnea with one or more of the treatments described below.
Lifestyle Changes | Weight loss, abstaining from alcohol and sleep aids, and changing sleeping positions can all be effective treatments for sleep apnea.
CPAP Machines | The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is worn at night to push air through to the lungs.
Oral Appliances | One of our most popular treatments, oral appliances are custom-fitted mouthguards that are worn during sleep. They keep the airway open so that the patient can get the rest and the oxygen they need.
Surgery | In some cases, surgery to the soft tissues may be necessary to open up the airway permanently.
Give Bad Nights a Rest and Call Us Today!
We will take your symptoms and needs in mind while we help you find a treatment for your sleep apnea. Schedule your free consultation today with Dr. Erickson by calling our office—Jordan Landing Dental Care.